Date of Award

2022

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Dr. Cameron Goodwin

Second Advisor

Dr. Bahram Nassersharif

Abstract

The purpose of this capstone project is to build a functional, working neutron radiography imaging collimator, for use at the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center (RINSC). Neutron imaging is a non-destructive imaging method that reveals the internal structure of samples by subjecting them to a neutron beam. The collimator is the device which focuses a beam of particles through a hollow cylindrical shell, connected to the beam port of the nuclear reactor. After careful consideration, the team decided to use a parallel collimator design for the project as it was the best collimator that optimized the desired specifications. The team’s design of the collimator will consist of aluminum shells as well as a boron carbide powder and concrete, alternatively being packed into annular discs and spread throughout the collimator, which will provide shielding from radiation, as well as eliminate attenuation and reduce gamma ray exposure. The team had to work with certain constraints which changed the potential design of the collimator. The first one was the room size that was given by RINSC, as well as the weight and mobility of the collimator, and another was the budget parameters assigned by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Lastly, the team is to ensure that the design meets both NRC and ALARA guidelines. Throughout the design process, the team’s countless hours of research, as well as meeting with sponsors allowed for a design which meets all of the specifications requested by the sponsors, and professor.

Comments

Team Name: Team 11, The Jimmy Neutrons

Sponsors: Los Alamos National Laboratory and Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center

Document Reference: URI-MCE-402-011-2022

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